Sophomore Phil Landes (Cincinnati, OH/Mariemont) scored a career-high 15 points as visiting Washington and Lee used a strong defensive effort for a 59-50 road win over Guilford in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) men's basketball opener for both teams Wednesday. The Generals (2-3, 1-0 ODAC) won their second straight game by holding the Quakers to a single field goal over 13 minutes in the second half.

The Quakers (2-4, 0-1 ODAC) used strong defense of their own to erase an early six-point deficit and forge a 33-25 halftime lead. A Josh Connor (Greensboro, NC/Northwest Guilford) layup with 18:10 left gave Guilford its largest lead of the game at 37-27. Washington and Lee's aggressive and tight defense prevented the Quakers from getting the ball inside and limited them to harried outside shots. Guilford connected on only six of 31 field goals (19.4%) in the second half and missed all 12 three-pointers.

With the Quakers struggling from the field, Washington and Lee slowly chipped away at the 10-point deficit. Landes' third three-pointer of the game capped a 14-3 Generals' run to give the visitors a 41-40 edge with 11:30 remaining. The Generals never trailed again as Guilford made only three field goals for the rest of the game.

Trailing by six with two minutes remaining, Guilford started fouling, but Washington and Lee made all eight shots from the charity stripe, including four by sophomore Matt Lawless (Williamsburg, VA/Bishop O'Connell).

Washington and Lee freshman guard Chris Halkitis (New Port Richey, FL/Ridgewood) made five-of-seven field goals, including two three-pointers, to finish with 14 points off the bench. Senior point guard Michael Denbow (Louisville, KY/St. Xavier) did not score, but posted six assists and five steals (both game highs), with only one turnover.

Connor paced the Quakers with his 15 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the year. The Quakers' leading scorer, senior Jevon Clarke (Apex, NC/Southeast Raleigh), scored less than 12 points for the first time this year as Washington and Lee held him to two-of-12 field-goal shooting (0-6 3-pt FG) and four points. Sophomore Genaro Lawhorn (Greensboro, NC/Oak Ridge Military Academy) had nine points and six boards off the bench.

Guilford is back in action Saturday (12/6) at nationally ranked league rival Hampden-Sydney at 2:00 pm. The Generals host Chowan Saturday (12/6) at 3:00 in a nonconference contest.